Trying to Smile Again Continued (Steven UniverseUniverse Fic)

Part Six Chapter Three: Reality

Steven woke with a slight gasp. He quickly jumped out of bed and rushed to his bathroom. He looked himself over in the mirror... but their was no evidence that he was corrupting. Was it all a dream? He shakily walked back to his bed. He tried to close his eyes, and go to bed, but he couldn't after that awful dream.

He heard a noise come from downstairs, so he went to check it out. As he walked down the steps, the sound ceased. He heard a quick ruffling sound, like sheets being pushed. When he got to the end of the stairs, he could see Spinel, sleeping on the couch. She didn't have any cracks on her anymore. Was that really an awful nightmare?

"Spinel," Steven whispered, checking if she was awake.

She moved slightly in her blanket cocoon, but didn't move. Steven moved closer, taking a seat at the ground below her.

"Spinel... I know you're awake."

Spinel hesitated, but turned to face the boy. She held her stuffed bunny close to her face. Her eyes glistened in the moon light coming through the window, evidence showing she had been crying.

"Mm," she muffled through her bunny.

"Well... I don't mean to disturb you. I know you still hate me," Spinel looked away knowingly at his comment. "But... you were the only other one who would-or was there. So... what I mean is... what happened at the fountain?"

Spinel tensed, and her breaths ceased for a moment. Steven could tell that she was frightened by his question. Spinel blinked, and thought over her response for a moment.

"Never mind," Steven said getting up. "I understand if you're scared... I'll leave you alo-"

"No," Spinel whispered, grabbing his attention. "It's... It's ok. I was just caught off guard is all," she laughed halfheartedly.

Steven returned to the spot below her, settling in for the story ahead. Spinel sat up, and wrapped the covers around her and Strawberry. Spinel took in a long breath, then started.

"Ok... so we were at the fountain to see if it still had it's healing properties from the time you got the Diamonds to join you," Steven nodded. "I went in the water, but nothing happened. After that, I gave up hope, but you still wanted to try. I suppose giving up in one attempt is stupid, hehe. Anyway, we tried and tried again, but it didn't work. Finally, I wanted to leave. I started to walk away, but you forcefully made me stay. Wanting to show me that you were not your mother. I might've... snapped a bit at you. But... you... you became a monster!" Spinel started to cry slightly. "I know what I said was mean... but I-I don't know why you were so mean! I started to get scared, cause you were getting closer and closer... meaner and m-meaner! You went to punch me, so I put up my hands to block the attack. Then you... then you started acting weird."

"Weird?"

"Yeah... weird."

"Weird how," Steven said louder than he meant. "What happened? What did I look like?"

"What... well... why would you ask that?"

Steven paused for a moment, wondering if he should tell her his horrible dream. Or... was it reality?

"Well... if you're done starin' into space like a weirdo, I'll continue," to this, Steven snapped back into reality.

"Sorry," he said.

"Whatever. After you acted weird, you ran to the fountain and stared at your reflection. You stared for awhile actually. I hate to admit it... but I got slightly concerned," Steven smiled slightly. "It doesn't mean I forgive you though," Steven's smile dropped.

"I walked over to ya, to try and get us to leave. You instantly turned around and slapped my hand away. I flinched, and noticed that... you did look different... how did you know that?"

"Uhh... lucky guess," Steven managed to lie.

"Hmph, well... your eyes. They looked weird. They were completely black, except for your Diamond shaped pupils, and your pink iris's."

Steven gasped. So it was real?! Or... slightly real?

"What else... what about my teeth? Or the horns on my head?!"

Spinel raised a brow in confusion and concern. She moved back an inch or two, concerned he was about to lash out.

"What are ya talking about Steven? You didn't look any different besides your eyes... are you ok?"

Steven looked at the ground. His hands were trembling, he hadn't noticed. He peered back up at Spinel, who was huddled into a ball. She was scared. He saw it, and she knew it. He got up and took a step back.

"Steven," Spinel questioned, moving closer. "What's wrong?"

"I... I need to find Garnet!"

"Steven wait... I know were that the best of friends, and I know we may be in rocky terms right now. But I never want anyone to suffer, at least... not anymore. So, if you need help... just ask."

Steven took in long breaths, calming down from his nightmare memory. He looked at his hands, inspecting them once more. He returned next to Spinel, and she insisted that he sit on the couch this time.

"I'm sorry... but, I'm fine really," he lied. "Please, finish your story."

Spinel could see that something was wrong. He never acted like this before. What was he seeing or thinking? Why was he so scared? She knew that they weren't friends right now. She knew that he hurt her. She even knew that he wanted to be friends again. But could she bring herself to do it? What if he lashes out again? Well, maybe right now, she needed to push those thoughts aside to help Steven. If she were hurt, which she was, he would help her... which he did... but can't come to believe it.